Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tried to put charges that she’s dishonest to rest Thursday in an interview with CBS News, saying she’s “always tried to” tell the truth to the American people.
CBS anchor Scott Pelley brought up a quote from former President Jimmy Carter during the interview with Clinton at her Nevada campaign headquarters.
“You know, in ’76, Jimmy Carter famously said, ‘I will not lie to you,'” Pelley said.
Clinton replied: “Well, I have to tell you I have tried in every way I know how literally from my years as a young lawyer all the way through my time as secretary of state to level with the American people.”
When Pelley pressed her to say if she had “always told the truth,” Clinton said she’d tried.
“I’ve always tried to,” she said. “Always. Always.”
Pelley countered that Clinton was giving herself “wiggle room” with that answer.
After a bit of back-and-forth, including a repeat of Carter’s quote, Clinton tried to explain herself.
“Well, but, you know, you’re asking me to say, ‘Have I ever?’ I don’t believe I ever have,” she said. “I don’t believe I ever have. I don’t believe I ever will. I’m gonna do the best I can to level with the American people.”
Watch the interview, from CBS, below:
